American Government Calendar

Unit I – Citizenship, Basics of Government, the Constitution, & Ideology

2008-2009

Date

Classwork

Homework

Tues Sept 2

• Course introduction & expectations
• Service Learning Activity
• Start “citizenship test”

• Contact sheet
• Homework: “Citizenship Test”

Wed Sept 3

• Grade & score citizenship test

• Homework: Rights & Responsibilities Chart

Thurs Sept 4

• Discuss rights & responsibilities chart
• Notes on citizenship

• Read Time article, “A Case for Amnesty” and compete chart

Fri Sept 5

• Discuss article and chart

• Essay: Should the United States offer amnesty to illegal immigrants?  Support and defend your opinion.

Mon Sept 8

• Discuss essays
• Introduce notes on basics of government

• Homework: “Foundations of Government” chapter reading & questions

Tues Sept 9

• Groups: basics of government chart

• Reflective journal

Wed Sept 10

• Discuss basics of government chart & reflective journal

Thurs Sept 11

• Thomas Freidman’s “Roots of 9/11”

• Reflective journal

Fri Sept 12

• Discuss Roots of 9/11
• Ideology Quiz & Score

Mon Sept 15

• Notes on Ideology Spectrum
• Issues Chart: Where do Democrats & Republicans stand?

Tues Sept 16

• Issues Chart: Where do Democrats & Republicans stand?

• Reflective journal on ideology

Wed Sept 17

• Library: Presidential Election 2008

Thurs Sept 18

• Library: Presidential Election 2008

Fri Sept 19

• In Class Work Day on Presidential Election 2008

Mon Sept 22

• Discuss Presidential Election 2008

• Read “Debate Watcher”
• Debate Score Card

Tues Sept 23

• Discuss Presidential Debates
• Introduction to the Constitution
• Principles of the Constitution: Federalism, Checks and Balances, & Separation of Powers

• Chart on Federalism, Checks and Balances, & Separation of Powers

Wed Sept 24

• Principles of the Constitution: Federalism, Checks and Balances, & Separation of Powers

• Study guide for extra credit

Thurs Sept 25

• Review with the study guide

• Study for Test

Fri Sept 26

• Test on citizenship, basics of government, the Constitution, & Ideology

• Watch the first Presidential debate and complete debate chart

Mon Sept 29

• Current events reading and reflective journal